Abstract
ABSTRACT The Bdella tropica is a predatory mite of potential importance in biological control of spider mites. Therefore, we conducted this experiment to understand its biology. The laboratory experiments showed that Bdella tropica Atyeo failed to develop at temperatures of 15 ± 1°C and 35 ± 1°C, but its development was normal at temperatures of 17 ± 1°C, 21 ± 1°C, 25 ± 1°C, 29 ± 1°C, and 33°C ± 1°C, although it could not oviposit at 17 ± 1°C. The results showed that the development of B. tropica was the longest (115.3 days) at 17 ± 1°C and shortest (37.4 days) at 33 ± 1°C, and shortened with increasing temperature within the range of 17–33°C. The survivorship of B. tropica increased with increasing temperature from 15 to 29°C and decreased with increasing temperature within the range from 29 to 35°C. The developmental threshold of temperature of the immature stage was 11.3°C, and the effective thermal summation of immature stage was 843.2 degree-days. The relationships between development and temperature were approximately linear within the range of 17–33°C. These results will help to evaluate the potential of B. tropica as a biological control agent against spider mites.
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